
Are occupational therapy interventions effective for lower-extremity musculoskeletal disorders?
Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Interventions for Lower-Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review Lower-extremity (LE) musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can have a major impact on the ability to carry out daily activities.
Should I see a physical therapist or occupational therapist for my injury?
If you injure your finger, wrist, arm, elbow, or shoulder, you may benefit from the skilled services of an OT. If you suffer a lower extremity injury, you should certainly see a physical therapist for rehab. But both PTs and OTs treat upper extremity injuries. This is where the water gets a little muddy.
What kind of injuries do occupational therapists treat?
In general, occupational therapists treat upper extremity injuries. If you injure your finger, wrist, arm, elbow, or shoulder, you may benefit from the skilled services of an OT.
How can physical therapy or occupational therapy help you?
Your PT or OT will work with you to regain motion and strength and, ultimately, functional use of your upper extremity. When determining the best treatment and care for any condition, one should examine the published scientific research to help make the best choice.

What is occupational therapy?
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) describes occupational therapists as healthcare practitioners who "help people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations).".
What does an OT do?
Your OT can help you regain full function during these tasks so you can get back to your normal lifestyle. You can think of a physical therapist as a professional who works with you to restore gross motor function. He or she can help you get things moving properly.
What is the role of physical therapists in a patient's recovery?
Physical therapists and occupational therapists work together with patients to help them regain mobility and function . Both PTs and OTs help patients move better and regain function after injury or illness.
What is the purpose of visiting a physical therapist after an injury?
When choosing to visit a physical therapist or occupational therapist after an injury, it helps to consider the injury that you suffered and the type of disability created by your injury. In general, occupational therapists treat upper extremity injuries .
What is a physical therapist?
Physical therapists help people move better and feel better after injury, surgery, or illness. They use a variety of exercise techniques and physical modalities to decrease your pain, improve range of motion (ROM), strength, balance, and endurance. A physical therapist focuses on the patient's total body. Treatment typically is centered ...
What causes elbow pain in the shoulder?
Tennis elbow or golfer's elbow. Shoulder pain due to arthritis, fracture, or rotator cuff injury. Stroke. Each of these injuries or conditions may result in loss of the ability to perform the important functional tasks that you need to do each day.
Can an OT treat an upper extremity injury?
If you injure your finger, wrist, arm, elbow, or shoulder, you may benefit from the skilled services of an OT. If you suffer a lower extremity injury, you should certainly see a physical therapist for rehab. But both PTs and OTs treat upper extremity injuries. This is where the water gets a little muddy.
Lower Extremity Orthoses
A variety of medical conditions can contribute to trouble with walking or standing. There are often issues with strength, posture, muscle tone, and balance. Sometimes lower extremity bracing, also known as orthoses, can help support your child’s legs and feet so that standing and walking improve.
Why Choose Us?
Our highly trained and experienced physical therapists are skilled in making custom splints for your child. The therapist will also work with an Orthotist to find successful solutions to help your child.
What should be included in a physical therapy evaluation?
For physical or occupational therapists, evaluation should include a thorough visual inspection of the area, noting changes in appearance, muscle atrophy, abnormal movement patterns, and posturing. Ideally, measurements for edema and active range of motion should also be taken.
How effective is a combination of treatments?
A combination of treatments is often most effective in restoring function to the affected area and education is key to developing patient trust. Assessment of the affected area can be challenging due to the intensity of the pain and hands-on or objective measures may be limited by guarding.
What is the term for atypical fascial pain?
Neuralgia: post-herpetic neuralgia (experienced after an onset of shingles) or trigeminal neuralgia (often known as atypical fascial pain)
Who to refer patients to for CRPS?
Frequently, they will want to refer patients to physical or occupational therapists who will aide in maximizing functional outcomes. Then the hunt is on to locate a therapist familiar or experienced with treatment of CRPS.
